Sustainable building construction practices of Ghanaian building contractors
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Date
November 2015
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Abstract
The study investigated the sustainable building construction practices of Ghanaian building contractors. Studies mentioned that a variety of terms are used to mean “sustainable” in the construction industry, including green building, sustainable design, high performance building, sustainable building, and integrated design. Sustainable building construction practices was defined as those construction management practices that seek to minimize impacts on the environment, natural resources, and non-renewable energy sources to promote the sustainability of the built environment. The descriptive survey design was employed to study 60 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents and analysed using statistical tools and moreover presented in tables and charts. The chi-square test of association was used to test for the level of association where necessary. The study revealed that generally there was a fair idea about sustainable building by respondents. Respondents recounts that installing of efficient energy fixtures, optimizing solar or daylight energy and natural ventilations were good sources of reducing waste and being economic efficient. The study again revealed that high initial cost and the actual cost of projects, lack of research interest, lack of coordination in policies, risk and uncertainties were some of the bottlenecks to the progress of sustainable building construction in the country. About two thirds of the respondents maintained they were not sure those policy framework were good enough to encourage contractors to adopt a more environmentally responsible practices. The study therefore recommend that a more proactive policy framework are put in place by government or other agencies responsible.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Building Technology,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in
partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Construction Management,